Feb 27, 2025 City Council

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:27]

>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS NOW 8:30 A.M. SPEAKING FROM THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL. SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS INTRODUCE HERE IN A MOMENT. FIRST I WILL ASK COUNCILMAN KRAMER TO OFFER OUR

INVOCATION. >> GOD, GRANT US THE WISDOM TO DISCERN WHAT IS JUST AND THE COURAGE TO PURSUE WHAT IS RIGHT.

REMIND US THAT LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT POWER OR ABOUT SERVICE, THAT AUTHORITY IS NOT FOR SELF-INTEREST , MORE SO WITH RESPONSIBILITY, RECOGNIZING THAT POLICIES WE ENACT SHAPE THE DAILY LIVES OF THOSE WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE.

BLESS THE CITY, BLESS THE WORKERS WHO KEEP US SAFE. THE BUSINESS OWNERS, THE STUDENTS, THE TEACHERS, THE PARENTS, THE ELDERLY, THE HOUSEHOLDS, THE UNHOUSED. MAY THIS COUNSEL KEEP IN MIND TO BE A PLACE WHERE WE DISCERN, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY , COME BEFORE YOUR THRONE FOR GUIDANCE AND TRUST . IN YOUR

NAME WE PRAY, AMEN. >> THANKS, COUNCILMAN CRAVER.

TODAY AS GUEST WITH ME I HAVE MASON AND COOPER GORMAN, THEY ARE FIFTH GRADERS AT AUSTIN ELEMENTARY. WE HAVE JUSTIN AND JEN AS THEIR PARENTS BACK THERE. AND THE BROTHER, CRAWFORD, IS JOINING US AS WELL. THEY ARE HERE TO PROBABLY LEAD US IN OUR

PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

>> THEY ARE DRESSED FOR SUCCESS. >> I LOVE IT.

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

>> NEVER A DULL MOMENT. IT IS ALWAYS EXCITING. IN THE FIRST PART OF MY CAREER I WAS LOOKING FOR THE EXCITING, FUN STUFF, AND HERE TOWARDS THE END OF IT HELPING PEOPLE. I AM SO EXCITED, WHAT WE DO IS WE GO FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS, VIOLENT SUBJECTS, PEOPLE WITH GUNS. IF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION ASKS FIRST TO FIND SOMEBODY, WANTED FOR A MURDER, ASSAULT, SHOOTING, WHATEVER, THEN THEY LET US KNOW AND WE DO THE RESEARCH AND FIND THEM. MOST PEOPLE THINK THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT THE JOB BRINGS, BUT THEY DON'T REALIZE HOW ALL THE PEOPLE WORK. IN OUR JOB, ALL THE SURVEILLANCE. YOU KNOW, VIOLENT PEOPLE , PEOPLE THAT REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT, BUT WE TAKE MEASURES , IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, SO WE TAKE

[00:05:03]

AND THEY MAKE MY JOB EASY. >> I AM THE LEAD TECHNICIAN, I WORK ON THE TRUCKS, I ALSO RUN THE SHOP, RUN THE PARTS MOVE, MAKE SURE EVERYTHING STAYS REPAIRED BUT IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. EVERYTHING FIRE, FROM STAFF CARS ALL THE WAY UP TO TRUCKS. RESCUE TOOLS, ANYTHING THAT FIRE HAS. WE WORK ON IT. WE WORK ON RESCUE TOOLS, LIKE WHAT PEOPLE THINK THE JAWS OF LIFE ARE. WE WORK ON THAT AND KEEP IT RUNNING, MAKE SURE IT'S GOING TO OPERATE WHEN THEY NEED IT. ANY KIND OF THE SAWS OR RESCUE TOOLS THEY USE DOWN AT THE FIRE SCENE, IF IT HAS A MOTOR WE PRETTY MUCH WORK ON IT. IT'S BEEN A GOOD JOB ALL THE WAY ALONG. I GUESS WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE I THOUGHT IT WAS COOL WORKING ON FIRE TRUCKS, NOW JUST ANOTHER BROKEN TRUCK, LIKE ANY OTHER TRUCK TO ME. IT IS JUST SOMETHING ELSE BROKEN. AS FAR AS COMPUTERIZATION OF THE TRUCK GROWS MORE AND MORE, IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO KEEP UP WITH.

TECHNOLOGY IS BOOMING IN THE FIRE INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW. AND THERE'S ME AND TWO OTHER GUYS. IT'S NOT A HUGE OPERATION, BUT

WE ARE BURIED ALL THE TIME. >> MICHAEL?

>> 30 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO WORK FOR THE CITIZENS OF ABILENE , AND ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY. SO I SAY THIS TO MOST OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS THAT COME UP HERE, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR FAMILY AND THE SACRIFICES THEY MAKE SO THAT YOU CAN WEAR THAT BADGE AND YOU CAN SERVE THE PEOPLE. I THINK SOMETIMES WE DON'T, AS CITIZENS, ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THAT THERE SACRIFICES MORE THAN JUST WEARING THE SHIELD. THE SACRIFICES THAT OUR LOVED ONES MAKE. SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOUR FAMILY FOR THE SUPPORT PROVIDED TO YOU OVER THE YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

SERVICE. >> MICHAEL, I HAVE A 30 YEAR PLAQUE AND A COIN FROM THE CITY MANAGER, I AM SURE YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING IN YOUR ACCOUNT THAT SHOWS OUR APPRECIATION. BUT PUBLIC SAFETY IS SO IMPORTANT TO US, AND THE THINGS YOU DO TO MAKE OUR CITIZENS SAFE EVERY DAY, YOU JUST CAN'T SAY HOW APPRECIATIVE WE ARE, AND WE THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL, ALSO FOR MY MOM, TO MY SISTER, KRISTI MULLINS, AND SHOUT OUT TO THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH THAT MAKE THE WORK A LOT EASIER.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN'T GET AWAY THAT FAST,

MIKE. >> STEPHEN ?

>> HOW YOU DOING, STEPHEN? WHEN I FIRST CAME TO ABILENE BACK IN 2015, I WAS REALLY SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT WE HAD THE LEVEL OF MECHANICAL SUPPORT FOR A FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WE DO. MOST COMMUNITIES DON'T . AND IF WE DID NOT HAVE THIS, WE WILL BE SHIPPING ALL OF OUR FIRE TRUCKS ARLINGTON, BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS THE CLOSEST FACILITY THAT IS RATED FOR THIS. LUBBOCK OR ARLINGTON. AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT THE CITIZENS MAYBE DON'T ALWAYS REALIZE IS THAT THE LEVEL OF SKILL AND DEDICATION REQUIRED TO WORK ON THIS EQUIPMENT, THE CERTIFICATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED, IT'S NOT NOTHING. IT IS IMPORTANT. IF WE DID NOT HAVE IT, WE WOULD HAVE FIRE TRUCKS DOWN FOR MONTHS, JUST WAITING IN LINE TO GET FIXED. BUT WE HAVE REALLY SKILLED TECHNICIANS WHO WORK FOR US, WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO FOR IN THE LAST 30 YEARS

YOU'VE DONE IT. >> OUR FIREFIGHTERS CANNOT GET THE SCENE OF THE TRUCKS DON'T WORK. AND FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOT HARD ON EQUIPMENT. NO, IT IS A GREAT SERVICE THAT YOU DO. IT IS PUBLIC SAFETY, AND IF THOSE MACHINES DON'T WORK, THEY CAN'T GET THERE TO PROVIDE THAT SAFETY, WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT YOU DO. HERE'S A 30 YEAR PLAQUE, A COIN FROM THE CITY MANAGER, AND SOMETHING IN YOUR ACCOUNT. ANYONE YOU WOULD

LIKE TO RECOGNIZE? >> NOT TODAY, REALLY. MY DAUGHTERS BOTH TEACH SCHOOL, SO WE CAN'T BE THERE TODAY.

>> WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THEM.

>> I APPRECIATE THE JOB. WORKING FOR THE FIREMEN HAVE BEEN GREAT.

WE APPRECIATE IT. >> I'M NOW GOING TO CALL UP DIANA HALL WITH THE WEST CENTRAL TEXAS BRANCH OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS. OR WHOEVER IS WITH YOU, COME ON

[00:10:03]

TURN THIS OVER TO YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE GOING TO ASK LYNN BEARD, CAN YOU COME FORWARD, PLEASE? COME ON. SO, MY NAME IS ROZ EVANS, AND I AM THE RANCH CHAIR FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE WEST CENTRAL TEXAS AREA HERE. AND EACH YEAR WE GIVE OUT AWARDS TO INDIVIDUALS SOCIAL WORKERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, PUBLIC ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND PUBLIC CITIZENS.

YOU ARE RECEIVING AN AWARD TODAY , SO I'M GOING TO READ THIS.

THE CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE. THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED TO LYNN BEARD. LYNN BEARD HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A 2025 PUBLIC ELECTED OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS WEST CENTRAL TEXAS BRANCH. WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIAL WORK IN THE CITIES CITIZENS OF THE TAYLOR COUNTY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A PRIZE PATROL HERE, IF YOU WILL COME FORWARD, WE HAVE YOUR BALLOONS, WE HAVE YOUR CERTIFICATE, AND WE JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU. WE WILL HAVE AN OFFICIAL BANQUET FOR YOU, TO GIVE YOU A BLACK. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THAT TIME HAPPENS. SO WE JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. YOU CAN INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FELLOW COUNCILMAN TO COME TO THE BANQUET, SO WE CAN HONOR YOU OFFICIALLY. WE JUST WANT TO

SAY CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU. I'M COMPLETELY SURPRISED BY THIS. THE FIRST QUESTION IS WHAT IS ON THE MENU AT THE BANQUET? THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL DO. DURING MY CAREER ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A LOT OF SOCIAL WORKERS, AND THE CHILD ABUSE ARENA AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARENA AND ALL THAT.

WHAT YOU WILL DO IS VERY SIMILAR TO A LOT OF OTHER INDUSTRIES AND WORK THAT KIND OF GOES UNSUNG. IT IS ALL BEHIND THE SCENES, WHERE PEOPLE DON'T REALLY REALIZE THE IMPACT YOU HAVE ON PEOPLE'S LIVES AND THE ABILITY FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS SERVICES.

SO THIS IS REALLY AN HONOR. I APPRECIATE THIS, IT IS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. SO THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> NOW I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH. WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO OUR NATION'S HISTORY, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY, AND WHEREAS, SINCE 1926, THIS OBSERVANCE HAS BEEN A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE RICH HERITAGE, STRUGGLES, AND TRIUMPHS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS, ENSURING THAT THEIR STORIES ARE ACKNOWLEDGED AND HONORED . AND WHEREAS WE ESPECIALLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPACT THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE MADE IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENCE , EDUCATION, BUSINESS, POLITICS, THE ARTS, AND COUNTLESS OTHER AREAS. AND WHEREAS THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME, AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND THE ARTS HIGHLIGHTS THE PROFOUND INFLUENCE OF BLACK ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, WRITERS, AND CULTURAL LEADERS WHO HAVE SHAPED AND ENRICH OUR SOCIETY THROUGH THE CREATIVITY AND VISION . AND WHEREAS WE RECOGNIZE THE HISTORICAL AND PRESENT-DAY CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN ABILENE , AND REMAIN COMMITTED TO FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHERE ALL CITIZENS ARE VALUED AND RESPECTED . NOW, THEREFORE, AS MAYOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, I DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2025, IN THE CITY OF ABILENE, AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH . I DID NOT SEE YOU THERE.

>> AS SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED ALMOST THEIR ENTIRE LIFE IN THE CITY OF ABILENE, I UNDERSTAND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF REPRESENTATION. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR FUTURE LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY ALSO SEE THAT REPRESENTATION. SO I APPRECIATE THE CITY OF ABILENE FOR THIS PROCLAMATION WERE BLACK

[CONSENT AGENDA AND PUBLIC COMMENTS]

HISTORY MONTH. >> WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS COMMUNITY, TOO. YOU DO A GREAT JOB AND WE ARE

APPRECIATIVE. >> COUNCILMAN MCALISTER IS NOT

[00:15:11]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL FIVE AND NINE.

>> ANYONE ELSE? WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON SUBJECTS DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ONLY ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION THE CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND CITY RESIDE IN FOR THE RECORD. THERE WILL BE A THREE MINUTE LIMIT AND WE WILL START WITH CARDS. I HAVE SEVERAL CARDS, JUST HOUSEKEEPING. SPEAKING ON NUMBER 18, THAT WILL BE AN INDIVIDUAL ITEM, YOU CAN SPEAK ON THAT THEN. SO WE WILL START WITH THE CARDS IN ORDER. CHARLES BUCKHAM.

>> ITEMS 14 AND 15, IS IT SEPARATE OR COMBINED?

>> YOU CAN SPEAK ON BOTH. >> I AM IN OPPOSITION, I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY. I LIVE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS PROPERTY, WHICH IS A HUGE OUTFIT. I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT. MY CONCERNS ARE THE VALUATION OF THE PROPERTIES AROUND , WHAT ARE THE THOUGHTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT. I WENT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION YESTERDAY AND I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT UTILITIES AND WATER USES AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THERE WAS A NUMBER THROWN OUT, ABOUT 11 MILLION GALLONS USAGE FOR THAT PROJECT, WHICH IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT, BUT IT IS NOT EVEN IN THE TOP FIVE. I DON'T THINK THAT IS A REQUIREMENT THEY NEED TO MAKE TO BE CONSIDERED A HUGE USAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE EXACT CITY LIMIT BOUNDARIES ARE, AND THIS, ITEMS 14 AND 15, I'M ASSUMING, ARE TO ANNEX THESE TWO PROPERTIES . IS IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET? DOES IT GO FROM A BOUNDARY OR PROPERTY LINE ? WHO IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE STREET REPAIR, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY DESTROYING THE STREETS AROUND THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS COUNTY OR CITY. I REPRESENT ABOUT 24 RESIDENT NEIGHBORS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. I HAVE SIGNATURES, KIND OF A PETITION THING GOING , THAT IS RAPIDLY GROWING WITH OPPOSITION . MAYBE I CAN USE A.I. TO INCREASE THAT.

AND AS THIS IS JUST A FORMALITY THAT WE ARE DOING HERE, KIND OF THE FIRST STOP BEFORE THE PLANNING AND ZONING CHANGE IT TO AGRICULTURE, TO LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, TO HEAVY INDUSTRIAL LIKE THE ORIGINAL SET UP WAS DONE. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER TYPE OF DEAL , BUT THOSE ARE MY MAIN

CONCERNS. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SIR, YES, A COUPLE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE WATER USAGE. IT IS A FAIRLY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL USE IN ABILENE, TEXAS, $11 MILLION GALLONS A YEAR. IT IS A LOT, BUT WE HAVE INDUSTRIAL USERS WHO USE

[00:20:05]

BUT TRADITIONALLY, WHEN THE CITY ANNEX IS NEXT TO A ROADWAY, THAT REALLY BECOMES PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY. WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY TO MAINTAIN THAT, TO WORK OUT THOSE ISSUES, BECAUSE THE TRUCKS ARE OUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE ROADS. AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK TO ADDRESS ONCE THE CONSTRUCTION IS OVER. BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S INTENTION IS TO JUST LEAVE IT ALL MESSED UP.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTIES OUT THERE? WHAT IS

THE EXPECTED -- >> I'M NOT A REALTOR, AND I'M NOT AN APPRAISER, SO I CAN'T REALLY TELL YOU. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE VALUE IS. I KNOW WHAT THEME IS DOING IS THEY ARE BUYING LAND OUT THERE AND THEY KEEP PAYING MORE FROM IT. FOR THE MOMENT, FROM A PRAGMATIC APPROACH, I WOULD SAY IT LOOKS LIKE PROPERTY VALUES ARE GOING UP. BUT IF YOU INTEND TO HOLD YOUR PROPERTY AND CONTINUE TO DO YOUR HOME SETTING OUT THERE, WHICH IS CERTAINLY YOUR RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW . BUT THAT IS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO VISIT WITH AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER OR A REALTOR ON TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON.

>> AND NOISE LEVELS, HAS THERE BEEN ANY KIND OF STUDY ON NOISE

LEVELS? >> THE BUILDINGS THEY ARE BUILDING ARE FULLY ENCLOSED. ALL THE SERVERS ARE FULLY ENCLOSED.

AND IT IS NOT THE SAME SOUND PROFILE THAT YOU HAVE ASSOCIATED WITH SOME OF THE BIG COIN MINING FACILITIES THAT ARE BASICALLY CHICKEN COOPS WITH COMPUTERS IN THEM. YOU ARE OUT THERE, YOU

KNOW WHAT THEY ARE BUILDING. >> MY CONCERN WAS THE POWER

GENERATION NOISE. >> YOU KNOW, THEY ARE BUILDING AN ON-SITE GAS-FIRED POWER PLANT, SO YOU WILL HAVE THE NOISES ASSOCIATED WITH A GAS-FIRED POWER PLANT. I'VE NEVER LIVED NEXT ONE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NOISES ARE GOING TO BE. BUT THEY MAKE MORE NOISE THAN COWS DO, THAT'S FOR SURE. BUT ALL OF THAT IS HAPPENING REGARDLESS IF THIS IS ANNEXED OR NOT. THOSE ARE FACILITIES AND PROCESSES THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. THE PREDOMINANT TYPE OF ENERGY SOURCE THEY INTEND ON USING IS , AGAIN, WIND AND SOLAR FROM SURROUNDING REGIONS. THAT IS ONE OF THE MARKET NICHE IS THEY ARE TRYING TO HIT AGAIN. SO THE GAS-FIRED PLANT, IN MY UNDERSTANDING, WOULD ONLY BE USED IN THE EVENT THOSE WIND AND SOLAR RESOURCES WERE NEEDED IN OTHER PARTS OF TEXAS. SO THOSE POWER RESOURCES WERE PUSHED BACK ONTO THE GRID . AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THEY WOULD USE THEIR GAS FIRE PLANT TO PROVIDE ENERGY TO

THEIR PRODUCT. >> OKAY, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. FOR THE PEOPLE OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY THE RESIDENTS WHO ARE CLOSE PROXIMITY, THEY MOVED OUT THERE TO BE AWAY FROM THE CITY AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE CHASING THEM.

>> YES SIR. THANK YOU, MR. BUCKMAN. ERIN YOUNG?

>> ALL RIGHT, MY NAME IS ERIN YOUNG. I USED TO LIVE IN ABILENE, NOW I RESIDE OFF WITH CLYDE. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THE FEE STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSED COMMERCIAL BREEDER ANIMAL PERMIT COMPARED TO THE DANGEROUS DOG PERMIT. AND PROPOSE THAT THE BREEDER AND SHELL PERMITS GET SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE CATEGORIES. CURRENTLY THERE IS AN UNBALANCED FEE BETWEEN THE BREEDER SHELL PERMITS AND DANGEROUS DOG PERMITS. THE BREEDER PERMIT IS PROPOSED TO BE $150 EVERY TWO YEARS, WHICH COMES OUT TO $70 PER YEAR. THE DANGEROUS DOG PERMIT IS ONLY $50 PER YEAR. THIS MEANS THAT A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER OR SHOW PAT AND HER PAYING 50% MORE ANNUALLY

[00:25:04]

BREEDERS SHOULD BE REGULATED SEPARATELY FROM SHOW PET OWNERS TO ENSURE FAIR FEES. I SUGGEST TO MAYBE HAVE A SHOW ANIMAL PERMIT FOR $50, ONE-TIME RESTRICTION, AND THE BREEDER'S PERMIT, $150 EVERY TWO YEARS OR 3-5 YEARS. AND ALSO INCREASE THE DANGEROUS DOG PERMIT FEE TO $100 PER YEAR, SINCE THESE ANIMALS POSE INCREASED PUBLIC RISK. ALSO, TO ENSURE ENFORCEMENT POLICIES SO THESE PERMITS SERVE A PRACTICAL PURPOSE, RATHER THAN JUST REVENUE GENERATION. I WAS ALSO GOING TO SPEAK ON 16 AND

17, AS WELL. CAN I SPEAK? >> YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS.

>> OKAY, I GUESS I WILL COME A REAL QUICK, THERE IS THE TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE 801 WHICH PROTECTS VETERINARY RECORDS AS CONFIDENTIAL. SO THERE WAS IMPLEMENTATION , OH , THAT WAS THAT. IT WAS ESSENTIALLY TO REMOVE THE SIX MONTH SPAY AND NEUTER, WE APPRECIATE THE CITY'S EFFORT TO DO THAT, AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THE SERVICE ANIMAL EXEMPTION IS MISSING FROM

THE ORDINANCE, AS WELL. >> MR. YOUNG, THAT ITEM WILL BE CONSIDERED AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING . JUST TO LET YOU KNOW.

IT IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED TODAY, BUT I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW WILL BE AT THE NEXT MEETING.

>> OKAY, I APPRECIATE THAT, I WILL BE BACK.

>> YES SIR, THANK YOU SIR. I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE TODAY THEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THAT, SO THE MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER CLAUSES COMING OUT OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT WILL BE CONSIDERED ON THE 13TH, SO THAT RESOLVES A LOT OF THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE HAVE, WHICH MEANS THE SHOW PERMIT GETS TO COME OUT, TOO, BECAUSE THE ONLY REASON THE SHOW PERMIT WAS ADDED TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION WITH THE ORDINANCE FOR THE MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER REQUIREMENT. WE REALLY LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY ON THIS, THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT OF A TWO RATING PROCESS ON THE ORDINANCE. WE VISITED WITH THE AKC, WE LISTEN TO OUR LOCAL CHAPTER. WE APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK ON ALL OF THIS, THIS IS HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE. NO ONE LIKES TO WATCH IT, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT DIALOGUE. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS,

SIR. >> AARON WILEY .

>> GOOD MORNING AGAIN, NICE TO SEE YOU ALL. IN ADDITION TO THE HEALTH CONCERNS THAT I NOTED ABOUT MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER, I ALSO WANTED TO ADD SOME OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH THAT, SO IT DOES SOUND LIKE YOU ARE TABLING IT TO CONSIDER IT MORE OFTEN, BUT I WANT TO GET SOME OF THIS ON THE RECORD AS WELL. SO, MANY DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT ARE VERY PRO-SPAY AND NEUTER, SUCH AS THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND THE ASPCA, AND ALSO THE NATIONAL ANIMAL INTEREST ALLIANCE ALL AGREE THAT MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAMS , THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM. THAT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WORK FOR YOUR INTENDED GOALS. IF YOUR INTENDED GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE PET POPULATION, OREGON, TO REDUCE PROBLEM BEHAVIORS THAT ARE A NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC, OFTEN THE MANDATORY ONES DO NOT REACH THE INTENDED AUDIENCES. SO I AM PRESENTING ALL OF THE ARTICLES FOR ALL THOSE, AND ALSO THE AMERICAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, THAT ALL OF THEM DO NOT RECOMMEND THE MANDATORY PROGRAMS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WORK FOR THAT INTENDED PURPOSE. SO I ASK THAT YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE. I ALSO HAVE SOME RESEARCH ARTICLES ON ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS SPAY AND NEUTER AND IF IT MAKES AS BIG A DIFFERENCE IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AS WE THINK IT DOES.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF IN HERE, AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO OVER ALL OF IT. BUT ETHICALLY ROAMING AND MARKING WHERE THE ONLY ANIMAL BEHAVIORS THAT HAVE STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE ON SPAYING AND NEUTERING, THAT A LOT OF THE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LIKE AGGRESSION AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY

[00:30:02]

THANK YOU. >> THOMAS MCINTYRE.

>> I WANT TO ADDRESS THE SAME THINGS THAT SHE HAS SAID, AND GIVE A HEARTY AMEN TO WHAT SHE IS PRESENTED. I HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY OF SHOWING DOGS FOR OVER 60 YEARS. WE HAVE DEALT WITH THESE ISSUES IN VARIOUS CITIES OVER THIS PERIOD OF TIME . I THINK THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CONSIDERED. I FOUND SIX CITIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT HAVE ALREADY MANDATORY SPAY AND NEUTER ORDINANCES. I INTERVIEWED FIVE OF THOSE CITIES , FOLKS FROM THE ANIMAL SHELTER AND FROM THE CITIES. I FOUND BASICALLY THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT ARE OVERWHELMING IN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY WERE ASKED.

NUMBER ONE, APPARENTLY IT DOES NOT WORK, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF INTAKE OF STRAY ANIMALS INTO THE SHELTERS. NUMBER TWO, OVERWHELMINGLY I FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY OF ENFORCING THAT ORDINANCE. BASICALLY, WHAT MOST OF THE CITY HAS RESORTED TO IN TRYING TO ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE WAS THE DOG THAT IS CAPTURED, THAT IS RUNNING LOOSE AND BROUGHT INTO THE SHELTER, THOSE DOGS AND OWNERS OF THOSE DOGS ARE THE ONES THAT USUALLY ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. I THINK THERE ARE OTHER UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT ALWAYS COME FROM SOME ORDINANCE , THAT IS JUST A BLANKET ORDINANCE TO TRY AND SOLVE THE ISSUE THAT A CITY AND COMMUNITY FACES. A LOT OF THE BREEDERS WHO ARE BREEDERS OF PUREBRED DOGS ARE SELF-REGULATORY. AKC HAS A BREEDER OF MERIT PROGRAM, A SELF-REGULATORY . YOU RESPOND AND RESPECT THOSE RULES THAT I HAVE IN THE BREEDING , A LOT OF PUREBRED DOG CLUBS HAVE THEIR OWN SELF-REGULATORY METHODS OF KEEPING CONTROL OF THE PARTICULAR BREED. I THINK ALSO, MOST PUREBRED DOG CLUBS THAT I AM AWARE OF HAVE THEIR OWN VERY EFFECTIVE RESCUE PROGRAMS. I THINK IN ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SUPPORTS THIS CONCEPT IS THE FACT THAT THE SHELTERS ARE NOT OVERWHELMED BY PUREBRED DOGS .

SHELTERS ARE OVERWHELMED BY DOGS THAT ARE STRAYS AND MIXED BREEDS. SO, WHEN YOU DO AN ORDINANCE THAT IS A BLANKET ORDINANCE, TO CONTROL EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT LOOKING AT SOME OF THE NEEDED EXCEPTIONS, THEN IT ALWAYS AFFECTS THE PERSON WHO IS THE LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN , WHO TRIES TO DO THINGS BY THE RULE. THANK YOU .

>> THAT IS ALL THE CARDS. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC

[00:35:01]

>> TAMMY VOGEL, RESIDENT OF ABILENE. I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK TO THIS, BUT I FIND IT FRUSTRATING AS A PERSON WHO IS REGULARLY INFORMED OF WHAT THE CITY IS DOING THAT WHEN YOU PULL AN ITEM THAT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC, SUCH AS THIS ANIMAL AND FOUL ORDINANCE AMENDMENT, THAT YOU DON'T GIVE THE PUBLIC MORE NOTICE. BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE TOOK TIME OFF TO COME AND SPEAK TO THAT, AND AT LEAST GIVING THE INSTRUCTION THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SPEAK ON IT EVEN IF IT IS PULLED, BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COME IN NEXT MEETING. ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR YOUR TO DO IS TO THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT YOUR DECISIONS MAKE, AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE. AND THIS FEELS A LITTLE FRUSTRATING, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO INDICATION WHATSOEVER ON THE PACKET OR THE AGENDA THAT IT WAS BEING PULLED, AND I THINK THAT THAT IS A LOST OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THE CITIZENS KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. IT IS ALSO REALLY CHALLENGING WHEN YOU LOOK AT A PACKET ON ONE DAY AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE PACKET ON ANOTHER DATE AND THERE IS A TWO PAGE DIFFERENCE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SPEND THE TIME THAT I DO LOOKING THROUGH THE PACKET AND FIGURING OUT WHICH OF THOSE TWO PAGES ARE DIFFERENT. IT MAY BE A MAP, OR IT MAY JUST BE, I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING IS IN IT AGAIN.

BUT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THERE WAS SOME CLARIFICATION AT THE FRONT, THAT WHEN YOU MAKE CHANGES, AS YOU DID ON THIS ORDINANCE, IT IS HARD FOR ME TO SET THEM TOGETHER SIDE-BY-SIDE AND GO OKAY, HERE IS WHAT CHANGED AND HERE IS WHAT DID NOT CHANGE. THERE IS JUST NOT AN OPENNESS THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I DON'T THINK IT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING ANYTHING WRONG. I THINK IT IS BECAUSE IT TAKES MORE WORK TO DO THAT. BUT, AS CITIZENS BECOME MORE INVOLVED, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. NOT HAVING TO GUESS WHERE THE ORDINANCE WAS CHANGED, AND WHY THE FLIGHT LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORDINANCE , AND AMENDMENT, OR JUST THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. I WOULD JUST REQUEST THAT WHEN YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS CHANGING, TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER HEADS-UP SO THEY DON'T MAKE PLANS TO COME AND SPEAK AND THEN DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH IT, BECAUSE TO EVEN TELL THEM WHAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO DO IN THE MEETINGS. THAT'S MY

[5. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Take Action on Purchase of Chairs for the Convention Center from MityLite Inc. (Marjorie Knight)]

COMMENT, THANK YOU. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? THAT WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL NOW CONSIDER A MOTION FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA CONSISTING OF ITEMS 4-15 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF

FIVE AND NINE. IN 16. >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRYCE. SECOND BY COUNCILMAN YATES. FOR THE DISCUSSION, WE ARE READY TO VOTE.

>> ALL YESES, MOTION CARRIES. >> NOW WILL MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE. COUNCILMAN REGAN, YOU ASKED THIS TO BE PULLED?

>> THANK YOU, YES. I RECEIVED SOME QUESTIONS ON THIS, AND ROBERT, YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THEM. BUT RECEIVED A FEW MORE, AND JUST TO GET A LITTLE CLARIFICATION, AND EDUCATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE, ON THE PURCHASE OF 2000 SHARES FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER FOR ROUGHLY 320,000, YES. I THINK SOME OF THE QUICK RESEARCH WAS SHOWING COMMERCIAL CHAIRS , WHAT I WOULD ASSUME WOULD BE SIMILAR QUALITY WOULD BE BETWEEN 30 AND $100, THESE ARE 160 PER CHAIR, WHICH TOTALS 320. CAN YOU GIVE THE RESIDENCE A LITTLE INSIGHT, IF YOU HAVE IT, ON WHY THESE ARE THE ONES WE ARE GOING WITH, AT 160?

>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE CHAIRS WERE BID COMPETITIVELY THROUGH THE BY PORT PROCESS. A GOVERNING PURCHASING CO-OP THAT HARNESSES THE PURCHASING POWER OF MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND EVEN THE NATION. AND LEVERAGES THAT BUYING POWER FOR BEST PRICING . THE CHAIRS WE HAVE NOW ARE , THEY HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME. TIFFANY NICHOLS IS HERE, AND I THINK SHE ACTUALLY HAS SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE CHAIRS, MAYBE THE OLD ONES AND THE NEW ONES THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. SO IF YOU LOOK BEHIND HER, NEXT TO HER, YOU CAN SEE THOSE.

THE BLUE ONES ARE THE OLD ONES, AND THOSE ARE SOMETHING YOU WOULD BUY AT SAM'S, EVEN. MAYBE ALONG MORE OF WHAT THE PRICELINE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. AND IN THE CHAIRS THAT THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT ARE NEXT TO HER, YES, THEY MAY BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WHAT IS IN THE BLUE, BUT AS A PERSON WHO HAS SAT FOR FOUR HOURS IN THE BLUE CHAIR A COUPLE WEEKENDS AGO, I WOULD TELL YOU I WOULD MUCH PREFER TO SIT IN THAT ONE, THE NEW ONE. AND I THINK WHAT THEY TRY TO DO WAS FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN COMFORT AND DURABILITY. AND THAT IS TYPICALLY GOING TO RAISE YOUR

[00:40:02]

>> AND THE NEW CHAIRS COME WITH A 15 YEAR WARRANTY, IS THAT

RIGHT? >> I BELIEVE THAT IS CORRECT.

YES, THAT IS CORRECT. >> WHICH, IN MY MIND, MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR THOSE ANSWERS, THAT'S ALL I HAD

ON THAT POINT. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS BY COUNSEL? THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM NUMBER FIVE? PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME .

>> TAMMY VOGEL, RESIDENT, AGAIN, SINCE THIS WAS PULLED I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SAY I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE LESS CONCERNED ABOUT EXPENSES WHEN WE UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR BUDGET IS. I KNOW WE HAVE A CONVENTION FUND BUDGET, BUT NO ONE KNOWS, BASED ON THE PUBLIC ACCESS. I MEAN, I COULD PROBABLY ASK ROBERT FOR IT, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR TOTAL WORKING BUDGET IS IN THAT AREA. IF WE KNEW IT WAS $1 MILLION, WELL, $320,000 MAKE SENSE. AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO UPDATE THINGS BEFORE THEY GET TO END-OF-LIFE. BUT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT WANTING TO SPEND UP TO $70 MILLION TO REPAIR AND IMPROVE THE CONVENTION CENTER, THIS SEEMS LIKE ANOTHER BIG-TICKET ITEM. AGAIN, I JUST THINK IF PEOPLE HAD ACCESS TO INFORMATION IT WOULD CUT OUT A LOT OF THE CONCERNS AND APPREHENSION THAT WE FEEL WHEN WE SEE BIG-TICKET ITEMS LIKE THIS. BUT I CAN SEE THE CHAIRS, THEY DEFINITELY NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY ARE LONG OVERDUE. I THINK IT IS MONEY WELL SPENT, BUT WE JUST NEED

MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU. >> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM FIVE? SEEING NO

ONE, I WILL CLOSE. >> SO, CURRENTLY WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT IS OUR PREVIOUS CHAIRS, AND CURRENT CHAIRS IN THE FACILITIES, WHICH ARE THE BLUE AND GRAY. WHEN YOU DO HAVE A SOLD-OUT EVENT IN THE EXHIBIT HALL, YOU HAVE A MIX MATCH OF CHAIRS. WE HAVE A LOT OF DAMAGES WITH THOSE CHAIRS, SO OUR INVENTORY IS GETTING KIND OF LOW ON WHAT THOSE LOOK LIKE. AND THEY ARE IN CONSTANT NEED OF REPAIRS. SO WE WERE LOOKING AT KIND OF A FRESHER LOOK, CLEANER LOOK THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY MOVE WITH THE BUILDING, AND WE IDENTIFIED THIS CHAIR AS THE CHAIR WE WOULD GO WITH, BUT WITH THE METAL LOOK OF THIS CHAIR.

THE REASON WHY WE DID THE CURVED BACK WAS BECAUSE WHEN YOU SAT DOWN, THE SQUARED BACK KIND OF HURT THE SHOULDER BLADES. SO, ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT , WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONDITION OF THE CHAIRS ARE NO LONGER MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THESE ARE USED FOR CONVENTIONS, IMMUNITY EVENTS.

AND THE GREAT CHAIRS ARE SINCE 1997, THE GREEN AND THE BLUE

CHAIRS. THAT'S IT. >> TIFFANY, ROBERT AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS. THIS IS ONE OF THE CONCERNS RAISED, WE ARE CONSIDERING, WE DISCUSSED IN THE RETREAT CONSIDERING RENOVATIONS TO THE CONVENTION CENTER. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE, IF ANY OF IT HAPPENS. BUT, AS FAR AS THE DESIGN OF THESE, WE WILL BE PURCHASING THE FURNITURE BEFORE DOING THE IMPROVEMENTS. ANY CONCERNS ABOUT IF RENOVATIONS ARE IMPROVED DOWN THE ROAD, IF THESE DON'T MATCH THE RENOVATIONS, WE SHOULD'VE WAITED UNTIL AFTER ANY POTENTIAL RENOVATIONS TO ACTUALLY BUY THE

FURNITURE? THOUGHTS THERE? >> RIGHT, SO WE ACTUALLY VINIFIED THESE BASED ON THE MOCKUPS OF THE SCHEMATICS OF WHAT THE POTENTIAL RENOVATIONS WOULD LOOK LIKE, SO WE FEEL THAT THESE WILL FIT THE FACILITY NOW, BUT ALSO FIT THE FACILITY IN THE

FUTURE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, TIFFANY. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MENTION THAT MITYLITE IS A U.S.-BASED COMPANY, SO THERE WON'T BE ANY ISSUES OF TARIFFS . BUT THE QUOTE IS VALID THROUGH THE END

OF MARCH. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS WITH

THE OLD CHAIRS ? >> THE OLD CHAIRS I BELIEVE WE WOULD JUST HAVE GO UP ON THE CITY AUCTION SITE. WE MAY STILL HAVE TO KEEP SOME, JUST BECAUSE THAT'S ONLY 2000, AND IF WE ARE SOLD OUT WE NEED SOMETIMES MORE THAN 2000.

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU, IF WE CAN, TO CONTACT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY NONPROFITS WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM SOME OF THEM, JUST TO GIVE THEM USAGE.

>> WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT, YES SIR.

>> PERFECT, WILL DO. >> I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO WANT TO REPLACE YOUR CHAIR WITH ONE OF THOSE.

>> NO, BUT BLAZE, I THINK WE ALL KNOW THOSE ARE NEUTRAL COLORS, SO REGARDLESS OF HOW IT'S DESIGNED, THEY SHOULD FIT.

>> I LIKE IT. JUST MAKING SURE.

>> TIFFANY, WHEN PEOPLE RENT THE CONVENTION CENTER, DO THEY PAVE

[00:45:02]

A FEE FOR THOSE CHAIRS? >> THEY DO PAY A FEE FOR THE

[9. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion, and Take Action on Amending Resolution 21-2025 in Support for OPG Cypress Partners LLC Supporting their Proposed Project on 301 Cypress St. (Tim Littlejohn)]

>> WE HAVE A COST RECOVERY MECHANISM?

>> YES, WE DO. THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM FIVE? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND.

>> SOME MOVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >> ALL YESES, MOTION CARRIES.

>> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM NINE. COUNCILMAN REGAN, YOU ASKED FOR THIS ITEM TO BE PULLED .

>> YEAH, I HAVE ONE QUESTION ON THIS ONE. ROBERT, THIS IS THE 301 CYPRESS PROJECT , THEM ASKING FOR THE MOTION IN SUPPORT OF THEIR TAX CREDIT TO CONVERT THIS TO HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. AND I THINK THEY HAD COME BACK LAST TIME WITH A CHANGE TO THEIR PURPOSE, THE PLAN WAS NOW IT WILL BE 75% INCOME CONTINGENT AND 25% MARKET RATE . ONE THING THAT IS BEEN ASKED, AND I DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO IS WITH THEIR NEW PROPOSAL COMING BACK, SAYING THAT THEY DO 25% MARKET RATE, IS THAT, AND THIS IS , AS THEY TESTIFIED LAST TIME, THIS WILL BE SET, IF APPROVED, THIS WILL BE SET FOR 35 YEARS. THAT PROPERTY WILL BE INCOME CONTINGENT. THE 25% THAT THEY SAID WILL SET AT MARKET RATE, DOES THAT BECOME PERMANENT? OR ARE THEY ABLE TO CHANGE THAT IN SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR, IF FOR SOME REASON, THEY COME BACK AND SAY HEY, WE BUILD THE 75% OF CONTINGENT, WE CANNOT FILL THE 25% MARKET RATE. ARE THEY ABLE TO UNILATERALLY CHANGE AND DO AWAY WITH THE 25% MARKET RATE AND MAKE IT 100% INCOME CONTINGENT? OR ARE THEY LOCKED

IN ON THAT FOR 35 YEARS. >> I DON'T BELIEVE THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT , LIKE IT MIGHT BE SUGGESTED TO 100%. YOU KNOW, THEY ARE IN THIS TO LEASE PROPERTIES, SO I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO HAVE VACANCIES. BUT THE 25% IS THERE, THERE IS A MIX AND A RATIO THEY HAD TO DO TO BE COMPETITIVE FOR THESE GRANTS. SO THEY CANNOT CHANGE THAT WITHOUT GOING THROUGH PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES, IS MY UNDERSTANDING. I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS, UNFORTUNATELY FOR YOUR QUESTION. BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THEY CAN.

THAT IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PRODUCT, ONCE THEY ARE SET, THEY WERE KIND OF SET MOVING FORWARD FOR THE LIFE OF THAT PARTICULAR TAX CREDIT. AND NOTHING IN THE PROPOSAL CHANGES WITH THIS WORDING OR THE SUGGESTIONS. THEY NEEDED THE WORDING CHANGE TO QUALIFY FOR THE COMPETITIVE POINT.

>> AND THIS MAY BE OUTSIDE YOUR SCOPE, SO I WILL ASK YOU, IF YOU DON'T KNOW, THAT'S FINE. IF THEY WERE TO WANT TO CHANGE IT, FROM 25, NOW LET'S DO 100% INCOME CONTINGENT, DO YOU KNOW IF THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL TO ASK FOR THAT

CHANGE? OR YOU DON'T KNOW? >> I DON'T KNOW, SIR. BUT THERE IS A STATE AND FEDERAL PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH, AND THAT IS REALLY THE AUTHORITY HERE. OUR AUTHORITY FOR ZONING AND THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR A SUPPORT RESOLUTION.

>> I DON'T KNOW 100%, BUT THEY WOULD BE AT RISK OF LOSING --

>> YES SIR, CORRECT. >> AND THEY CAN'T CHANGE IT, OR THEY WOULD LOSE THE TAX CREDITABILITY?

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE ON THAT ISSUE, THANK YOU.

[18. Discussion: Receive a Report and Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing and Provide Direction on a Downtown Paid Parking Program (Michael Rice)]

>> ANYONE ELSE? I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM NUMBER NINE, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, EITHER FOR OR AGAINST ITEM NUMBER NINE, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING , I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION IN A SECOND.

>> SOME MOVE. >> SECOND.

>> WE ARE READY TO VOTE. >> ONE KNOW FROM COUNCIL MEMBER REGAN, BUT THE REST ARE YESES, SO MOTION CARRIES.

>> MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 17 WAS PULLED. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM 18, AND I WILL ASK MY ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TO PRESENT THIS

ITEM. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.

BEFORE YOU IS A CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE COUNSEL RETREAT

[00:50:03]

THE BLUE LOTS ARE ALSO LOTS THAT ARE FREE IN ASSOCIATION WITH FIRST FINANCIAL. WE HAVE SIGNED AGREEMENTS WITH THEM THAT THEY WILL PROVIDE FREE PARKING AFTER 5:00, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND ALSO FREE ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. SO THERE IS, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE TRY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING, WHICH IS KIND OF AN ONGOING CONVERSATION FOR MANY YEARS, HOW WE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THESE ARE THE SAME RATES THAT WERE PRESENTED TO YOU BEFORE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE 0-2 HOURS WE WOULD BE FREE. THIS WOULD MIRROR THE EXISTING ON STREET PARKING THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE AND COMPLEMENT THAT. THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. IF YOU HAVE DESIRES TO MEET THE PRICES GO UP OR DOWN, ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE HAPPY TO LISTEN TO WHATEVER YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS MAY BE.

CONSIDERATIONS TO THE PAID PARKING PROGRAM. ONCE AGAIN, IF THERE IS A DESIRE TO WITH THIS, THE CITY WOULD NEED TO GO AHEAD AND CREATE AN ORDINANCE THAT ALLOWS US TO CHARGE FOR PAID PARKING. WE ALSO NEED TO UPDATE THE FEE ORDINANCE AS WELL, TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE RATES WOULD BE FOR THAT PARKING AND FOR ANY VIOLATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR. CITIES COST ON THESE ARE ONCE AGAIN PAID BY THOSE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY PARK . WHEN THEY PAY FOR THAT PARKING, THAT IS WHEN THAT PART OF THE TRANSACTION ACTUALLY GETS CAPTURED BY PARK MOBILE. THE REST OF THAT WOULD THEN BECOME REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF ABILENE. QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNSEL, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MONTHLY RATES. WE DID REACH OUT TO PARK MOBILE. THE RESPONSE WAS BASICALLY YES, THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO DO A WEEKLY RATE, A MONTHLY RATE, OR EVEN FOR SPECIAL EVENTS WE CAN ACTUALLY CREATE PARKING AND SET RATES FOR THOSE, AS WELL. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE THE ABILITY FOR CUSTOMERS PARK IN THOSE AREAS . IT IS A SIMPLE PROCESS, OVER THE PHONE.

I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO USE THIS YET, SO WE WILL SEE HOW SIMPLE IT ACTUALLY IS IN REALITY. THERE'S ALSO A QUESTION, WHEN WE MET WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT IS THEIR ABILITY FOR BUSINESSES TO VALIDATE PARKING FOR THE CUSTOMERS? ONCE AGAIN, THE ANSWER IS YES. THEY WOULD BASICALLY NEED THE INFORMATION FROM THE CUSTOMER AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO IN AND PROVIDE A PAYMENT FOR THEM, TO ALLOW THEM TO STAY AND TO SHOP EVEN LONGER. DETAILS MATTER. WE TALK TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA, WHEN I ASKED TO VOTE, BECAUSE WE HAD A MEETING OF ABOUT 12-18 PEOPLE. I APPRECIATE THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS ALLOWING US TO USE THEIR SPACE FOR THAT MEETING. I ASKED WHO IS IN WAIVER OF IT, I HAD ONE HAND. I ASKED WHO IS AGAINST IT, I HAD

[00:55:04]

WHAT IS A PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO ACTUALLY SOLVE? WHY ARE WE NOT CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIX THE FREE LOTS? I THINK WE HAVE OBSERVED IS THAT THESE FREE LOTS ARE NOT REALLY BEING USED BY CUSTOMERS AS MUCH AS THEY ARE BEING USED , PARTIALLY, BY THE BUSINESSES AND BY THE EMPLOYEES. SOME ARE EVEN PARKING THEIR LONG-TERM . THIS WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE PARKING FOR THE BUSINESSES, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PARKING FOR THE DOWNTOWN CUSTOMERS. ONCE AGAIN, TO INFUSE ACTIVITY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

THERE'S A QUESTION ABOUT I HAVE A BUNCH OF EMPLOYEES, BUT THEY DON'T ALL WORK AT THE SAME TIME, AND I CAN'T BUY A PARKING SPOT FOR EACH OF THEM, CAN I SHARE PARKING. FOR EXAMPLE, I'VE GOT 15 EMPLOYEES, BUT I ONLY WANT TO HAVE FOUR SPACES . CAN I HAVE FOUR SPACES AND ALLOW 15 EMPLOYEES TO SHARE THOSE FOUR SPACES? IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH PARK MOBILE, THEY SAID THAT IS AN ABILITY THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE. THEY OFTEN DO THAT SOME OF THE UNIVERSITY AREAS AND SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE CONTRACTORS ARE COMING TO WORK, CONTRACTORS CAN COME AND GO AND THEY GET TO SHARE THOSE SPOTS WITH THEM. IS COMPLETELY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS OWNER. WHERE WILL THE REVENUE GO FROM THIS PROGRAM? ONCE AGAIN, I DON'T GET TO MAKE THAT DECISION. THE RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE REVENUE ADJACENT TO THE LOT BY THE DOUBLETREE WOULD SET UP IN A RESERVE FUND. ONCE AGAIN, AS AN EMERGENCY FUND FOR ANY TYPE OF DEBT PAYMENT FOR THE HOTELS. THE REVENUE FROM THE OTHER LOT LOCATED AT SECOND AND PINE WOULD BE GENERAL REVENUE GOING INTO THE GENERAL COFFERS. CONCERN ABOUT SECURITY . I HAD AN INDIVIDUAL SAY I DON'T WANT TO GIVE MY CARD TO PARK MOBILE, BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE GET HACKED. THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT, THE SECURITY IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE. THIS IS THE RESPONSE OF PARK MOBILE ON ALL THE THINGS THEY DO, TO ONCE AGAIN, PROTECT THE INFORMATION OF THOSE THAT ACTUALLY SIGN UP FOR AND USE THEIR APPLICATION. I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THESE. THIS IS THE FIRST PAGE, AND THIS IS THE SECOND PAGE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO, ONCE AGAIN, TO PROTECT THE CUSTOMERS AND ENSURE THAT THEIR INFORMATION IS KEPT PRIVATE AND IS NOT HACKED, SO TO SPEAK. QUESTION ON FREE PARKING BETWEEN 5:00 P.M. AND 8:00 A.M. IN SOME CITIES THEY DO HAVE THE ABILITY FOR THAT TO TAKE PLACE. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS A POLICY DECISION, STAFF DOES NOT RECOMMEND THIS ADJACENT TO THE DOUBLETREE HOTEL, PRIMARILY WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE ARE COMPETING AGAINST THE PARKING LOT AT THE HOTEL IS MANAGING. IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY FOR PARKING BEHIND THE HOTEL OR GET FREE PARKING IN FRONT, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS AND OVERNIGHT, THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO COMPETE WITH WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. THE OTHER QUESTION THAT CAME UP HIS HANDICAP SPACES. OUR HANDICAP SPACES EXEMPT? MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE STATE LAW DOES ALLOW FOR YOU , ONCE AGAIN, TO PUT TIME PARKING ON ANY SPACE, WHETHER IT BE A REGULAR SPOT OR HANDICAP SPOT. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE ALLOW AND TREAT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS THE SAME, BUT IF YOU'RE HAVING TIME PARKING, EVEN HANDICAP SPOTS IN THESE PARKING LOTS, ONCE AGAIN, WOULD HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENT . IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE THERE LONGER THAN TWO HOURS, THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO PAY. WITH THAT I WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

>> I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, GO AHEAD, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

>> I JUST HAD A COUPLE. WITH THE ENFORCEMENT, WE DON'T ENFORCE ON WEEKDAYS, AND WE DON'T ENFORCE ON THE WEEKENDS, SO HAVE WE LOOKED AT WHAT THAT, WHAT OUR COSTS WOULD BE TO HAVE PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO CHECK TIMES AND CHECK THE SPOTS OVERNIGHT AND ON

THE WEEKENDS? >> WE HAVE NOT DONE A COST STUDY ON THAT, BUT RIGHT NOW, EVEN THE PARKING SYSTEM WE HAVE NOW FUNDS FULLY THE OPERATIONS, IN FACT, REVENUES GENERATED FROM THIS AND INCOME IS CREATED AND ADDITION TO OUR COSTS FOR THE PERSONNEL.

WE'VE ALSO RECENTLY RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE OWNER OF BIBLE

[01:00:03]

ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION, SIR. >> AND NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION, JUST WHERE I AM, BEFORE WE GET INTO THE DISCUSSIONS, SO PEOPLE CAN ADDRESS WHERE I AM IF THEY WANT TO. WITH THE CONSTRUCTION WE'VE GOT GOING ON IN CYPRUS, I JUST CAN'T SEE VOTING FOR PAYING FOR PARKING OR CHANGING PARKING AT THE LOCATION. I UNDERSTAND THE PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM THE HOTEL, THE IMPACT THAT HAS ON THE PAID PARKING LOT THEY HAVE, AND PROVIDING FREE PARKING IS , IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO COMPETE FOR THAT . AND THAT IS PRETTY NORMAL, WHEN YOU GO TO A DOWNTOWN LOCATION, YOU HAVE HAD PARKING IN A LOT OF HOTEL AREAS.

BUT THERE IS AN IMPACT WE ARE ALREADY HAVING ON THE BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY ON CYPRUS, THE DIFFICULTY GETTING AROUND IN DOWNTOWN. I DON'T SUPPORT CHANGING ANYTHING RIGHT NOW. OR SAYING TODAY I SUPPORT DOING IT WHEN CONSTRUCTION IS OVER, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DYNAMICS WILL LOOK LIKE AFTER IT IS OVER. FOR ME, PERSONALLY, AND THAT'S WHERE I AM LANDING , BUT I DON'T HAVE A STRONG FEELING ABOUT , OF OPPOSITION TOWARDS HOTEL PARKING. BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE PAID PARKING TODAY AT THE REPORTER'S PARKING LOT.

>> AND I WANT TO CLARIFY TODAY, COUNCILMAN PRICE, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU AND YOUR ASSESSMENT THERE. TODAY WE ARE NOT VOTING ON AN ORDINANCE , THIS IS DISCUSSION TODAY TO GIVE STAFF DIRECTION. I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT. WE STILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, WE WANT YOUR INPUT, BUT WE ARE NOT

VOTING ON AN ORDINANCE TODAY. >> I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN PRICE ON HIS POINTS. ON THE REVENUE, WHAT IS SPLIT WITH THE COMPANY , DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT SPLIT WOULD BE , HOW MUCH THE CITY VERSUS

THE COMPANY WOULD GET? >> THAT IS WHAT THE COMPANY GETS UNDER THE PARK MOBILE FEES. AND THAT IS ALL THAT THEY GET.

>> OKAY. SO IT'S NOT A REVENUE-SHARING TYPE .

>> IT IS NOT REVENUE-SHARING. AND IF SOMEONE PARKS IN THE FIRST TWO HOURS THEY ARE FREE, AND THERE IS NO DOLLAR FIGURE, THEN ONCE AGAIN, THE FIRST 3% OF ZERO IS ZERO.

>> AND DO WE HAVE PROJECTIONS ON HOW MUCH WE WOULD GET FROM THIS, LET'S JUST SAY AT THE HOTEL PARKING LOT, FOR THE FIRST YEAR?

>> I KNOW THAT WHEN THE HOTEL INITIALLY INSTITUTED THEIR PARKING IN THAT LOT ACROSS THE STREET, THEN CAPITALIZED WITH THEIR VALET. THEY WERE UP $40,000 A MONTH IN PARKING REVENUE, THAT WAS FOR THE HOTEL GUESTS. SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT VOLUME OF REVENUE , BUT , BECAUSE WE ARE NOT CHARGING THE SAME RATE STRUCTURE THEY WILL BE CHARGING, EITHER. THE PROJECTIONS I'VE DONE, DEPENDING ON VOLUME AND HOW LONG PEOPLE STAY, IT COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM 200,000 TO THAT $480,000 ANNUALLY, THAT WOULD, AGAIN, GO INTO ASSISTANCE FOR

DEBT SERVICES IN THE HOTEL. >> YEAH, AND I THINK I AM WITH SHANE, WHERE I'M NOT IN OPPOSITION TO THE PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL BEING PAID. I WOULD BE OPPOSED TO THE A.R.M. PARKING BEING PAID , FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. ONE, I AGREED WITH SHANE ON THE CYPRESS STREET PROJECT. WE DON'T KNOW THE DYNAMICS, IF IT WILL BE NEEDED OR NOT. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE CAN REVISIT, IF NEED BE, AT THE NEXT COUNCIL RETREAT OR THE YEAR AFTER. I LIVE AND WORK DOWNTOWN, SO I WALKED FOR THAT PARKING LOT AT LEAST TWICE A DAY, SOMETIMES FOUR TIMES A DAY . THE BUILDING I'M IN HAS A PAID PARKING LOT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, BUT I WALKED THROUGH THAT PARKING LOT AND IT IS USED, BUT I DON'T THINK BETWEEN THE WORKING HOURS THAT I'VE EVER SEEN IT 100% FULL. NORMALLY IT IS BETWEEN 25 AND 60% FULL, MAYBE. AND THAT IS JUST PURE ANECDOTAL. I'VE NEVER GOTTEN THE SENSE OF THIS IS OVERFLOWING, WE HAVE GOT TO

[01:05:01]

INCOME CONTINGENT HOUSING. BUT I THINK SOME OF THE RATIONALE FOR THAT WERE IN SUPPORT OF IT WAS THAT WE NEED TO HELP THE WAITERS AND THE BARTENDERS AND THE EMPLOYEES , POTENTIALLY, WITH HOUSING DOWNTOWN. AND FOR US TO THEN TURN AROUND AND SAY YEAH, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU CHEAPER HOUSING, OR HELP YOU WITH HOUSING PART, BUT WE ARE GOING TO CHARGE YOU EXTRA FOR YOUR PARKING, I THINK THAT CREATES A BIT OF A DISCONNECT, AND IT ALSO MAKES IT HARDER FOR THE BUSINESSES TO HIRE EMPLOYEES IF THE EMPLOYEES KNOW HEY, I'M GOING TO BE PAID $15 AN HOUR OR $20 AN HOUR, BUT IF I TAKE THIS JOB DOWNTOWN GOT TO PAY 10, $15 A DAY TO PARK THEIR. WHY AM I GOING TO TAKE THIS JOB WHEN I COULD TAKE ONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE AND NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT PARKING? SO IT CREATES A DETERRENT ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEVELS. I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY AT THIS POINT. I DON'T THINK IT SOLVES A PROBLEM AT THIS POINT. DOWN THE ROAD I THINK YOU CAN SERVE A PURPOSE, I JUST DON'T THINK WE'RE THERE YET. SO AGAIN, I WOULD AGREE WITH SHANE'S PHRASING. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE DOWNTOWN HOTEL PARKING ACROSS THE STREET BEING PAID. I'M VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO THE ARN PAID PARKING.

>> I THINK ON PRINCIPLE THERE ARE PUBLIC AMENITIES THAT THE CITY PROVIDES IN THE FORM OF INFRASTRUCTURE , STREETS , WATER SUPPLY, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, THAT ALL THE TAXPAYERS HAVE ACCESS TO AND ACCESS THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS. THAT IS A FAIR BURDEN TO BE PAID EITHER THROUGH THE SALES TAX OR TO THE PROPERTY TAX. I THINK THERE ARE ALSO THINGS WHERE IT IS NOT NECESSARILY APPROPRIATE FOR THE TAXPAYERS TO SUBSIDIZE THE USE OF SOME AMENITIES FOR A FEW PEOPLE. AND THAT IS HOW I PERCEIVE WHAT'S GOING ON, AS WE ARE PUTTING UP MORE PARKING DOWNTOWN , TO SAY THAT THE CITY IS JUST GOING TO PAY FOR IT AND MAKE IT FREE, THAT MODEL IS NOT FOLLOWED IN MOST PLACES. MOST PLACES THAT ARE, THAT HAVE AN ACTUAL DOWNTOWN WILL CHARGE FOR PARKING. I MEAN, EVERYBODY HAS SEEN THE OLD PARKING METER THAT YOU PUT A DIME OR NICKEL IN, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. TRY KEEP THAT FLAG FROM POPPING UP. THIS IS JUST THE MODERN VERSION OF THAT. I DON'T THINK THERE'S MUCH OF A BARRIER TO ADOPTION.

IT IS CERTAINLY CHANGE, AND ABILENE DOES NOTHING WELL EXCEPT RESIST ALL CHANGE AT ALL TIMES. BUT I THINK VERY QUICKLY THIS WILL BE AN EASY ADOPTION. MOST PEOPLE HAVE SMART PHONES AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE IT, AND THERE ARE OTHER METHODS TO ACCESS THAT. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FREE PARKING , I THINK, WILL ADDRESS A LOT OF THE CONCERN WITH THE BUSINESSES, AS FAR AS TURNOVER AND ACCESS FOR CUSTOMERS TO COME IN . IT IS NOT

[01:10:05]

THAT MIGHT BE ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY INCREASE TRAFFIC. THE AFTER-HOURS ENFORCEMENT, I SHARE THAT CONCERN. I THINK THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED, AND ONE OF THOSE DETAILS YET. BUT THAT IS A PROBLEM WITH A SOLUTION. THAT JUST MEANS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO AFTER-HOURS DETERRENT.

HONESTLY, I THINK MOST OF THE LOTS DOWNTOWN THAT ARE FREE EVENTUALLY SHOULD BE PAID. I DON'T THINK THE CITY SHOULD BE PROVIDING FREE LONG-TERM PARKING FOR PEOPLE . THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF MAKING THE ARN LOT FREE WILL BE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE ADJACENT AND NEARBY PAID LOTS TO SAY WELL, DO I WANT TO PAY 40 OR 50 BUCKS A MONTH TO PARK THERE? OR A BLOCK OVER I CAN DO IT FOR FREE. THEY WILL ALL VOTE WITH THEIR WALLETS, AND IMMEDIATELY FILL UP THE FREE PARKING LOT, AND NOW YOU HAVE EVEN LESS PARKING. THEN YOU HAVE LESS REVENUE FOR A BUSINESS, WHICH IS RUNNING A PARKING LOT DOWNTOWN. SO I SEE THAT IS DETRIMENTAL. I AM IN FAVOR OF THESE TWO LOTS, AS THE FIRST STEP , AND I THINK LONG-TERM THERE'S BE SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER ALL THE LOTS AND EVEN POSSIBLY ALL OF THE ON STREET PARKING WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN AREA SHOULD IN BEING PAID PARKING. THE REVENUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO OFFSET THE MAINTENANCE COSTS , YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THE AMENITIES PAYING FOR IT RATHER THAN ALL THE TAXPAYERS BEARING THE BURDEN FOR SOMETHING THAT NOT EVERYBODY USES.

>> I KIND OF LAND MORE SO WITH LOOKING AT IT AS A PHASED APPROACH . I THINK ACROSS FROM THE DOUBLETREE GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO, IF YOU WILL, CONDUCT A SOFT LAUNCH. WITH THAT IT GIVES US ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER REAL-TIME USER FEE BACK AS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THE PROCESS OF PAYING FOR THE PARKING . AND IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT THE ANALYZING TURNOVER LOOKS LIKE BEFORE WE WERE TO MAYBE IMPLEMENT IT INTO THE TWO LOTS. IT ALSO GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONE IN ON THE COMMUNICATION PIECE, BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES AND THE CITIZENS WOULD APPRECIATE KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE THAT MONEY GOES. WHAT HE CAN USE FOR, WHAT CAN'T BE USED FOR, IT GIVES US THE PROPER CHANNELS TO KIND OF CONDUCT THAT AND GIVE OUR CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ENGAGED DURING THAT PROCESS. I THINK IT GIVES US MORE INFORMATION AS WE TRY TO IMPLEMENT IT DOWN THE ROAD, BUT NOT QUITE YET, POSSIBLY. SO THAT'S MORE SO WHERE I LAND IN TERMS OF GIVING US THE PARKING ACROSS FROM THE DOUBLETREE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS.

>> I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT TRAVIS JUST SAID, AND MULTIPLE OTHERS. I THINK WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARKING LOAD IS GOING TO BE LIKE ON CYPRUS AFTER THE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETED. WE DON'T KNOW YET. WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT REDESIGN. I THINK WE CAN MAKE EDUCATED GUESSES ON THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE REAL-TIME DATA ON WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE DOWN THERE. I DO SUPPORT THE PAID PARKING ACROSS FROM THE HOTEL.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT PHILOSOPHICALLY, BUT I JUST KNOW WHEN YOU ROLL OUT A NEW SYSTEM LIKE THIS, THERE'S JUST GOING TO BE THINGS THAT WE DID NOT THINK OF. IT'S NOT ANYBODY'S FAULT, IT IS JUST THE NATURE OF A BRAND-NEW SYSTEM, AND NEW APP, NEW PROCEDURES, THERE'S GOING TO BE CIRCUMSTANCES WE DID NOT THINK OF. SO I THINK GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO IRON SOME OF THAT OUT. BEING ACROSS FROM THE HOTEL. YOU KNOW, JUST FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES TO VALIDATE PARKING, VALIDATE DOES NOT MEAN FREE. THOSE BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT, WHICH WILL AFFECT THEIR MARGINS, WHICH WILL AFFECT THE COST OF SERVICES DOWNTOWN. I THINK WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT.

I ALSO AGREE WITH WHAT BRIAN SAID. THE ENTIRETY OF THE TAXPAYER BASE IN THE CITY OF ABILENE IS PAYING FOR THIS ONE PARTICULAR LOT , THESE THREE OR FOUR LOTS, AND NOT A SMALL

[01:15:01]

COMPLETE. THAT'S MY THOUGHT. >> ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR

MICHAEL? >> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP WAS ARE THERE TRAILERS BEING PARKED HERE?

>> THERE ARE A VARIETY OF COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA THAT HAVE UTILIZED THE PARKING FOR EQUIPMENT STORAGE ON AND OFF. I'VE SEEN THEM THERE AND NOT SEEN THERE, SO THEY MAY MOVE THEM AROUND, DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY ARE BEING UTILIZED SOMEPLACE ELSE. BUT

>> COULD WE ADDRESS THAT WITH THE PARKING RESTRICTION?

>> YEAH. >> SO THERE ARE NO TRAILERS OR

RVS? >> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE COUNSEL'S DIALOGUE ON THIS. THIS IS NOT ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BEFORE TO THIS SCALE, AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE THEN COUCHING THIS AS A DISCUSSION , AND WE DON'T HAVE AN ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU OR A CONTRACT, IS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT POLICYMAKERS. YOU ALL ARE. AND I APPRECIATE THE DIALOGUE THAT YOU ALL ABLATE INTO THIS, AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON IT, TOO. ALL THOSE THINGS CAN CERTAINLY BE ADDRESSED VIA ORDINANCE OR

THROUGH FEE STRUCTURE. >> SHANE, REAL QUICK ON YOUR POINT ABOUT THE TRAILERS OR TRUCKS IN THAT PARKING LOT, JUST ANECDOTALLY, FOR ME, THE ONES THAT I SEE TYPICALLY ARE SOMEONE MOVING OUT OF THEIR OFFICE, SO THEY PARK THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR EQUIPMENT AND THEY ARE OUT THAT DAY. OR REALLY, WHAT I SEE IS SOMETIMES IT WILL BE TRUCKS THAT ARE DELIVERING FOOD, OR WHATNOT, TO THE RESTAURANTS RIGHT THERE ON SECOND. SO FOR ME, I TEND TO VIEW IT AS A GOOD THING, AS LONG AS THEY ARE THERE FOR A SHORT TIME. IT MEANS THAT THEY ARE NOT, TYPICALLY THEY WILL PARK ON SECOND, AND RIGHT IN THE LANE, AND THEN THEY WILL GET OUT THE TRUCK AND START UNLOADING. SO THEY ARE TAKING UP THAT LANE RIGHT THERE. SO, BY HAVING THIS PARKING LOT, IF THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE PARKING LOT, WHICH IS KIND OF WHAT I AM SEEING, NOT ALWAYS, BUT I'M SEEING A LITTLE BIT MORE OF IT, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING. BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT STOPPING TRAFFIC IN THAT LANE OUT ON THE STREET. BUT I THINK THE CONCERN IS VALID. WE DON'T WANT TRUCKS OR TRAILERS THERE OVERNIGHT, SO I THINK IF STAFF WERE TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING WHERE NO TRUCKS OR TRAILERS, AND I'M GOING TO MAKE UP A NUMBER, MORE THAN SIX HOURS OR 12 HOURS, WHATEVER IS EASILY ENFORCED, I THAT COULD BE A GOOD WAY OF STILL ALLOWING DELIVERY TRUCKS TO UNLOAD FROM THOSE PARKING LOTS , OR PARKING SPOTS, AND NOT USING THE STREET TO DO IT. BUT STILL ELIMINATING THE CONCERN OF WE'VE GOT THREE TRUCKS STAYING THERE OVERNIGHT FOR A WEEK. THAT

I THINK WOULD BE A GOOD USE. >> I HAVE A MINORLY DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT ON THAT, IF SOMEONE AT THE AIRPORT WHO THINKS ABOUT WEAR-AND-TEAR ON THE PAVEMENT ALL THE TIME, I DON'T KNOW WHAT GRADE THAT PARKING LOT WAS DUG DOWN TO AND WHAT WEIGHT IT IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT, BUT THE TWISTING MOTION OF TRUCKS ON AN ASPHALT PARKING LOT WILL TEAR IT UP REALLY RAPIDLY. SO IF THAT PARKING LOT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR TRUCKS, THEY CAN'T BE IN THERE.

THE STREET IS MUCH MORE DURABLE. I KNOW IT CREATES A TRAFFIC INCONVENIENCE, BUT IF WE ALLOW COMMERCIAL TRUCKS TO PARKING THERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, AND THEY ARE TWISTING AND BACKING ON THAT AS WELL, IF IT'S NOT REALLY DEEP AND CONSTRUCTED PROPERLY WILL DIG HOLES IN THAT AS WELL. IT IS 110 OUTSIDE, THE ASPHALT IS GOING TO SOFTEN UP AND WE WILL HAVE HOLES IN IT THAT WE THEN HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND GO FIX. WE WILL HAVE PAID PARKING THERE, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. I JUST URGE STAFF TO CONSIDER THAT.

>> WILL LOOK AT ALL THOSE THINGS AND BRING BACK SOME IDEAS TO ADDRESS THE DIALOGUE THE COUNCIL'S HAT ON THAT PARTICULAR THING. BUT ON THE PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTIBILITY, WHAT'S OUT THERE NOW ON THE REPORTING NEW SIDE IS THE REMNANTS OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE BUILDING. AND ALL OF THAT IS BEING PULLED OUT. AS PART OF THE PEDESTRIAN PLAZA PROJECT, AND THE WORK THAT STAFF IS DOING TO BRING THE BIDS TO COUNSEL, TO AWARD THE CONSTRUCTIBILITY FOR THE PARKING LOT. THERE WILL BE A DEMOLITION COMPONENT TO THAT, WE WILL PULL THE FOUNDATION COMPONENTS OUT, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE A WELL-BUILT PARKING LOT WHEN YOU GOT CONCRETE THAT IS FAILING IN CERTAIN AREAS, AND BEAMS, YOU JUST HAVE TO PULL IT ALL OUT. SO IT WILL BE DESIGNED AS A PARKING LOT, TO YOUR POINT, COUNCILMEMBER BEARD. THE THING IN UNDERSTANDING THE DIALOGUE, I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO RESOLVE

THOSE CONCERNS. >> I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN RAGAN ON IT, YOU GET A BIG DELIVERY TRUCK SITTING ON NORTH SECOND,

[01:20:03]

PARKING LOTS. >> ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? THANK

YOU. >> FOR CLARITY, THERE IS ONE LAST QUESTION THAT HAS NOT BEEN DISCUSSED. THE ONE ON THE BOTTOM QUESTION THERE. IT KEPT SPACES AS A NEW TOPIC, WHICH YOU HAD NOT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. AT LEAST I HAVE NO CLEAR DIRECTION ON WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO. ONCE AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE FOR THE PAID PARKING LOT ADJACENT TO THE HOTEL, BASED ON WHAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, OR DO YOU JUST WANT TO LEAVE THIS ALONE AND MOVE ON AS WE

HAVE IN THE PAST? >> THE QUESTION OF WHETHER HANDICAP PARKING SPACES WILL BE FREE, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT

HERE? >> THE QUESTION IS IF SOMEBODY IS USING THE PARKING LOT WITH A HANDICAP SPOT, WILL THEY ALSO NEED TO SIGN UP AND PAY THE FEE IF THEY ARE THERE LONGER THAN

TWO HOURS. >> YES.

>> I THINK SO. >> I WOULD SAY THAT I AM OFTEN AMAZED AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ABLE-BODIED THAT HAVE HANDICAP PLACARDS ON THEIR CAR.

>> STILL, TWO HOURS FREE. >> SOUNDS GREAT, THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 18, THESE COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR

NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> YOU HAVE ONE CARD, MAYOR.

GLENN DROVE THE >> IN MORNING, MY WIFE, CAROL, AND I OWN TEXAS STAR TRADING COMPANY. BEFORE THAT MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS EDITOR OF REPORTER NEWS. I SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MY LIFE AT THE CORNER OF CYPRUS AND NORTH SECOND STREET. AND I'VE BEEN IN ABILENE FOR 40 YEARS, AND 32 OF THEM, I THINK, AT THAT INTERSECTION. DOWNTOWN PARKING HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. NOW IT IS A PROBLEM, BUT IT IS BEEN CONSIDERED A PROBLEM. BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE. IRONICALLY, PART OF THE PROBLEM , WHEN I CAME HERE, WILL REPORTER NEWS EMPLOYEES PARKING ON THE STREET. THEY HAD A PARKING LOT A BLOCK AWAY, BUT THEY WERE PARKING ON THE STREET. NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE A PARKING LOT WHERE THE REPORTER NEWS USED TO BE. PLEASE MAKE THAT A FREE LOT. TOTALLY FREE. YOU KNOW, THE CITY STAFF, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE AS A POSSIBILITY IS BRINGING BACK BASICALLY A HIGH-TECH VERSION OF THE PARKING METER. AND I WONDER IF YOU ALL WANT TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR WHO BROUGHT PARKING METERS TO DOWNTOWN ABILENE. I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE. IT'S AN EASY FIX, IT SEEMS LIKE. MAKE IT A FREE PARKING LOT. SOLVE THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. IF IT CREATES ANOTHER PROBLEM, SOLVE IT LATER SOME OTHER WAY. BUT THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN . THAT LOT IS GOING TO BE THERE OR NOT BE THERE. I MEAN, THERE IS A BIG PARKING SPACE AVAILABLE WHERE THERE USED TO BE A BUILDING. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY. AND I'M NOT SPEAKING ABOUT THE OTHER HOTEL THING, I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT, IT'S GOT A DIFFERENT SET OF ISSUES. BUT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN, I THINK, TO MAKE THIS A FREE SPOT, AND SOLVE THE PARKING PROBLEM DOWNTOWN. MAKE IT FREE FOR EVERYBODY. CUSTOMERS, FOR VISITORS, FOR WORKERS, FOR EVERYONE. FREE. NOT HIGH-TECH ARCING METERS, FREE, PLEASE.

I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. >> IT'S NOT FREE. IT'S PAID

FOR. >> WHATEVER. FREE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING IT. FREE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING IT, JUST LIKE FREE IN ANY OTHER PLACE YOU GO IN TOWN, THERE'S FREE PARKING. SOMEBODY'S PAYING FOR IT, YEAH. AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING FOR IT ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PROVIDING THE JOBS AND BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN. I MEAN, THAT'S PART OF THE COST OF HAVING A DOWNTOWN. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU ALL FOR

LISTENING. >> WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 18?

>> TAMMY VOGEL, RESIDENT OF ABILENE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT WITH A DISCUSSION, BECAUSE THAT'S A FIRST, IT'S A FIRST FOR ME. I THINK THAT THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND VERY ENGAGING FOR US AS CITIZENS TO LISTEN TO WHAT IS GOING ON, WHAT YOU ARE THINKING.

IT MAY SEEM LIKE IT TAKES LONGER, BUT IT'S REALLY HELPFUL. SO I APPRECIATE THE VERY GOOD DISCUSSIONS WITH PATADAY. TWO POINTS, I GUESS. ONE IS THE REVENUE THAT'S GOING TO BE PRODUCED BY THESE METERS. IS THAT INCLUDING ALSO , OR HAS

[01:25:02]

WE'VE BEEN LOANING MONEY TO THEM TO COVER THE SHORTFALL, AND UNTIL THE HOT TAX KITS AND. NOW YOU'RE SAYING THIS LOT IS GOING TO BE PAYING FOR AN EMERGENCY FUND FOR DEBT PAYMENT, WHICH IS CONCERNING, AND I WOULD LIKE MAYBE TO POINT THAT OUT THAT WE WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE REVENUE FOR THE HOT TAX. THIS IS NEWS TO ME, AND SOMETHING THAT I THINK MANY CITIZENS DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE HAD BLURRED THE LINES. IT IS ACTUALLY POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE COSTING US AS CITIZENS, WHEN WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT. SO I THINK IT'S GOOD, IT IS A COST, THE HOTEL PARKING LOT SHOULD COST MONEY. I PAY AT ANY HOTEL I GOT YOU NOW. BUT I THINK THAT SHOULD GO TO THE GENERAL FUND, BECAUSE THE CITIZENS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT TAKING CARE OF THAT NET, AS WE WERE TOLD BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE. SO THANK YOU.

>> TO ADDRESS THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT, EARLY ON WHEN THE DEAL WAS STRUCTURED, COUNCIL APPROVED THESE AGREEMENTS FOR THE HOTEL DEVELOPER CORPORATION IN THE CITY. BECAUSE THERE WERE COSTS THAT WHEN WE INITIATED THE PROJECT THAT THE CITY WAS PAYING FOR, AND THE HOTEL WAS GOING TO PAY THE CITY BACK. IN FACT, MAYOR WILLIAM MADE MULTIPLE COMMENTS DURING PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT WE WILL GET THIS MONEY BACK, SO IT IS NOT A GIFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS. WE ARE LOANING IT TO THE 380 PROGRAM. ALSO PART OF THE HOTEL WAS A RAMP UP PERIOD. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT. THE RAMP UP PERIOD IS GOING TO TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO A YEAR AND A HALF LONGER THAN WE ANTICIPATED. BUT BY 2027 WE ARE THINKING THAT THE HOTEL REVENUES COVER THE FULL OPERATION AND DEBT SERVICE OF THE HOTEL. SO THIS IS REALLY A BRIDGE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

AND DID NOT ANTICIPATE THAT. IT DID NOT EXPECT THAT. ALSO DID NOT EXPECT THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES THAT OUR COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING, TOO. THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS WHY THAT, CRYSTAL BALLS ARE NOT PERFECT. MINE IS NOT, NO LENSES. I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT IN THE GENERAL FUND WITH THIS. SO FAR WE HAVE NOT. SO FAR WE HAVE NOT HIT GENERAL FUND DOLLARS ON ANY OTHER THING WE'VE DONE. SO I THINK WE'VE TRIED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH OUR MESSAGING. I THINK WE TRIED TO BE HONEST WITH THE TAXPAYERS, AND I THINK WE TRIED TO HONOR OUR COMMITMENT TO NOT USE GENERAL FUND REVENUES FOR THIS.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THANK YOU.

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYBODY ELSE LIKE

TO SPEAK ON ITEM 18? >> GOOD MORNING. I HOPE YOU ARE MY CONCERNS TODAY, NOT AS JUST ANOTHER COMPLAINING CITIZEN, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO DEEPLY CARES ABOUT WHAT DOWNTOWN HAS GROWN --

>> ONCE AGAIN, CAN YOU SAY YOUR NAME?

>> SORRY, MY NAME IS RONNIE BURKE, I AM A LIFELONG ABILENE RESIDENT. I HOPE YOU HEAR MY CONCERNS TODAY NOT AS JUST ANOTHER COMPLAINING CITIZEN, BUT AS SOMEONE WHO DEEPLY CARES ABOUT WHAT DOWNTOWN IS GOING TO BECOME AND ITS FUTURE. I AM A LIFELONG ABILENE RESIDENT, MEMBER OF THE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION, FORMER SENIOR MANAGER FOR FEDEX GROUND ABILENE, AND CURRENTLY SERVE AT DIRECTOR OF INDENTS AND ENGAGEMENT AT GREENTREE. MY DEEP TIES TO DOWNTOWN AND ABILENE AS A WHOLE GIVE ME A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE, AND I FEEL QUALIFIED TO SPEAK TODAY FOR MY DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORS THAT SHARE MY BELIEFS THAT COULD NOT BE HERE. WHEN I ATTENDED THE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATIONS PAID PARKING INFORMATION MEETING, MY BIGGEST QUESTION WAS SIMPLE. WHY? WHY ARE WE BRINGING PAID PARKING DOWNTOWN? WHAT PROBLEM IS THIS SOLVING? THE CITY REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT GIVE ME A CLEAR ANSWER, SO I LOOKED FOR ONE MYSELF. AFTER WATCHING THE COUNSEL RETREAT DISCUSSION AND READING THE CITY'S INFORMATION PACKET, I FOUND THIS EXACT STATEMENT I BELIEVE TO HAVE BEEN SPOKEN BY MR. HANNAH. THE REASON WHY WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS IS THAT YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE JUST PARKING, AND THEY'VE GOT BUSINESS EQUIPMENT, TRAILERS, BUSINESS VEHICLES. THEY ARE USING IT AS THEIR PRIVATE LOT, WHICH I DON'T THINK WAS THE INTENTION OF THE PUBLIC PARKING LOT. SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE LOT ACROSS FROM THE MOTORIST BUILDING, I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THIS REASONING DOES NOT MATCH REALITY, AND I SAY THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE TO CULPRIT. AT GREENTREE WE DO HAVE ONE COMPANY VAN THAT STAYS IN THAT LOT WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE, BUT OUTSIDE OF TEMPORARY CONTRACTOR VEHICLES WORKING ON THE IS BUILDING THIRD FOR RENOVATION, I DO NOT SEE BUSINESSES USING THAT PARKING LOT AS THE PRIVATE LOT. IF OUR ONE VAN IS THAT BIG OF AN ISSUE,

[01:30:05]

DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY LOSING CUSTOMERS DUE TO THE CYPRESS STREET PROJECT AND THE PERCEPTION THAT IS INCONVENIENT TO VISIT DOWNTOWN. I HAVE PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO TOLD ME THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED TO GREEN THEORY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO DEAL WITH DOWNTOWN PARKING AND CONSTRUCTION. MEANWHILE, ABILENE CONTINUES EXPANDING SOUTH, MAKING DOWNTOWN AN EVEN LONGER DRIVE FOR MANY RESIDENTS. PAID PARKING WILL ONLY MAKE THIS WORSE. ONE OF MY FAVORITE ABILENE PHRASES IS WE DON'T HAVE A PARKING PROBLEM, WE HAVE A WALKING PROBLEM. I FULLY BELIEVE THIS STATEMENT TO BE TRUE, BUT WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS THE REALITY OF ABILENE'S CULTURE AT THIS TIME. ABILENE IS NOT OFTEN OR THE METROPLEX. PEOPLE HERE ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO WALKING MULTIPLE BLOCKS TO REACH A BUSINESS. THE CYPRESS STREET PROJECT IS A STEP TOWARDS CHANGING THAT, BUT WE ARE NOT THERE YET. I AM NOT HERE TO FIGHT AGAINST PAID PARKING ENTIRELY. I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO WAIT. WAIT UNTIL THE CYPRESS STREET PROJECT IS FULLY FINISHED AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES HAVE A CHANCE TO RECOVER. PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE ANOTHERCHALLENGE BEFORE DOWNTOWN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STABILIZE. HANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS

TIME? >> A MORNING, GENTLEMEN. JERRY SALINAS, IONA BUSINESS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE PARKING LOT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONFER WITH COUNCILMAN REGAN .

THAT PARKING LOT IS NEVER FULL. NEVER. I AM THERE SIX DAYS A WEEK, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. IT IS NEVER FULL. THE PARKING THAT I'VE SEEN THERE ON UTILITY TRAILERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT HAVE SAFETY CONES ON THE BACK OF THEM. ARE THEY COMING FROM THE CYPRESS STREET CONSTRUCTION ? DON'T KNOW. ARE THEY COMING FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WHERE THE REPORTER NEWS WAS ? DON'T KNOW.

THAT IS THE STUFF I HAVE SEEN THERE. BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN A DELIVERY TRUCK THERE. I DROVE A TRUCK FOR 18 YEARS. I WOULD NOT PULL A DELIVERY TRUCK IN THERE. YOU CAN'T GET OUT. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF ABILENE FOR OVER 30 YEARS. MOVED HERE FROM GRAPEVINE, TEXAS. ONE OF THE REASONS WE MOVED TO GRAPEVINE SEVERAL YEARS AGO WAS THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF Y'ALL HAVE EVER BEEN TO THE DOWNTOWN GRAPEVINE AREA.

THEY DON'T HAVE PAID PARKING. THEY HAVE PUBLIC PARKING. YOU MAY HAVE TO PARK SIX BLOCKS AWAY AND WALK, BUT THAT'S PART OF IT. YOU GET TO GO ENJOY THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I THINK WITH A PAID PARKING LOT OR ANY PAID PARKING LOT, AND I DON'T OPPOSE THE ONE OVER BY THE HOTEL. THAT ONE DOES NOT AFFECT ME. THE ONE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, WHEN THAT BUILDING FELL OVER I WAS ONE OF THE WITNESSES OF THAT, AND WATCHED IT FALL OVER. IT WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. I HAD A HIGH SCHOOL KID SAY MOST OF THE BUSINESS THAT WE HAVE HAD A DAY PARKED RIGHT OVER THERE AND WALKED ACROSS THE STREET. A HIGH SCHOOL KID NOTICED IT. I JUST THINK THAT THE CITY IS PUTTING MONEY INTO CYPRESS STREET DOWN, AND TRYING TO HELP BUSINESSES OUT, AND TRYING TO HELP THE DOWNTOWN GROW. AND I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT THEN THEY ARE BEATING US DOWN ON THE SIDE. AND IT'S TOUGH. IT'S TOUGH. WE'VE GOT THE $85 STREET MAINTENANCE FEE ON OUR WATER BILL EVERY MONTH.

THAT WILL BE ANOTHER DISCUSSION FOR ANOTHER TIME . BUT I THINK PERSONALLY, IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE. TWO CUSTOMERS YESTERDAY CAME OVER FROM CLYDE. TWO ELDERLY LADIES. ONE IS 92, THE OTHER ONE IS 84. THEY DROVE OVER FROM CLYDE. THEY HAVE BEEN CUSTOMERS OF MINE FOR OVER FIVE YEARS. THEY CAME DOWNTOWN YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I SAT DOWN AND VISITED WITH THEM, AND I DISCUSSED THIS CONVERSATION WITH THEM. AND THEY SAID JERRY, WE WILL JUST GO TO YOUR OTHER STORE. THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE BEEN DOWNTOWN. WILL JUST GO TO YOUR OTHER STORE.

THEY CAN PARK RIGHT IN FRONT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GENTLEMEN.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 18? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS FOR DIRECTION OF MR. HANNA, THE CONSENSUS HERE EXCEPT FOR ONE IS WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LOOKING AT PAID PARKING FOR THE PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM THE HOTEL , AND LOOK AT SOME WORDING ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARKING , IF WE WOULD WANT TO CONSIDER THAT.

>> WE CAN CERTAINLY BRING FORWARD ORDINANCES

[RECONVENE]

[20. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Appointing Members to Various Boards and Commissions per the City Charter (Shawna Atkinson]

[01:35:58]

>> IS NOW 10:17 A.M., AND WE RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION. NO VOTES OR ACTIONS WERE TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE WILL NOW MOVED ITEM 20, WHICH IS THE APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT OF VARIOUS BOARD COMMISSIONS. AT THIS TIME, ARE THEY UP? THAT IS ABILENE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.